Introducing The Guernsey Writers’ Hub

If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to write a book one day”, you’re in good company. But sometimes, it isn’t easy to know where to begin.

The good news is that Guernsey has a thriving community of storytellers, novelists, poets and writers who are happy to share their own writing journeys, and welcome new members on board.

Until now, much of the information has been scattered across websites, Facebook groups and shared through discussions. All of this is great, but holding a directory of everything in one place makes it easier to know what’s available for any writer, whether you’re beginning with a short story or you already have a manuscript in your top drawer.

That's where the Guernsey Writer's Hub comes in.

 

 

How It Started

The initial idea for a Writers’ Hub came from Jenny O’Brien, bestselling author of thirty books, including the DC Gaby Darin and Threads of Resistance series. While we were planning the stalls for Guernsey’s first Book Fest, thinking about what we could offer writers as well as readers, Jenny suggested a table for writing advice.

Her guide, based on the workshop she gave at the 2025 Literary Festival, became the first article on the new Writer’s Hub website and everything else has grown from there.

 

What’s On The Hub

The Hub is a free, independent guide for anyone who writes, or would like to, supported by the Guernsey Literary Festival. It’s simple to browse and is organised into sections:

• Writing groups: from the long-running Guernsey Writers to Night Voices, the u3a Creative Writing group and the Guernsey Society of Authors, there’s a group to suit most writers and schedules.

• Workshops and courses: including Ben Hinshaw’s Find Your Way in Fiction course at the Guille-Allès Library, starting every January.

• Competitions: local favourites such as the Festival’s short story and poetry competitions and the Eisteddfod, plus a selection of established UK competitions.

• Events: upcoming book markets, talks and, of course, the Festival itself.

• Services for writers: local publishers Blue Ormer and Extraordinary Editions, along with other help with editing, design and printing.

• Places to write and research: from quiet corners of the Library to the local collections at the Priaulx.

• Young writers: opportunities for children and teenagers, including the WriteStuff competition.

• Book clubs: from the Library Book Club to the Silent Book Club, for writers who love to read.

There’s also a section on writers and Guernsey, celebrating the island’s literary heritage, from Victor Hugo’s years of exile to the authors writing here today.

 

 

Tips from Jenny O’Brien

Jenny’s guide covers everything from planning your first draft to finding an agent or self-publishing. Here are a few tips to get you going.

• Read, read and read some more. Stephen King reads around 100 books a year and writes one. Reading across genres reveals what you enjoy, and it’s probably what you’ll end up writing in. 

• Just start. You don’t need a creative writing course to start. Fifteen minutes a day adds up to around 300 words, which is over 2,000 a week. Keep that up for nine months, and you’ll have your first draft.

• Find your people. Writing can be a lonely business, so join a group, online or in person. Making friends with people who write makes everything easier.

• Know the rules. Avoid too many adverbs and characters; show, don’t tell; learn the art of pacing; be consistent. Only when you know the rules, can you break them.

• Beware of publishers who ask you for money. In traditional publishing, money flows towards the writer. If a publisher asks you to pay, treat it as a red flag.

• If you self-publish, do it properly. Invest in a professional editor and cover designer because readers really do judge a book by its cover.

• Don’t rush. Jenny’s advice is to have your second book written, or nearly written, before the first one comes out, so that book one helps sell book two.

You can read Jenny’s full guide on the Hub.

 

Help Us Grow

The Hub is a community resource, and it’s only as good as the information in it. If you run a writing group, teach a course, offer services to writers, or know of something we’ve missed, we’d love to hear from you at hello@guernseywritershub.com.

If you’ve been thinking there’s a book in you, there’s never been a better time to start putting pen to paper. Visit guernseywritershub.com, and get writing.

Ruth Thomason writes historical fiction as RJ Verity and volunteers for the Guernsey Literary Festival.